# HFSP Research Grant – Early Career

**Funder:** HFSP
**Consortium:** Required — international, multi-disciplinary team (minimum 2 members from different countries)
**Application:** 2-stage: Letter of Intent → Full Proposal
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://www.hfsp.org/funding/hfsp-funding/research-grants
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Reserved exclusively for teams where all members are early-career researchers (within 10 years of PhD/MD or 5 years of starting an independent group). Parental leave, military service, and major medical conditions may extend eligibility. International, interdisciplinary teams required; applicants must be independent researchers at academic institutions.

## Summary

The HFSP Research Grant, Early Career funds international, multi-disciplinary teams of early-career researchers to pursue high-risk, high-impact bioscience projects. All team members must be within 10 years of PhD/MD or 5 years of starting an independent group, and teams must span at least two countries. This annual call rewards collaborative creativity across borders and disciplines, with a 2-stage review process beginning with a Letter of Intent.

## Who should apply

- Early-career researchers within 10 years of PhD/MD, or 5 years of independent-group leadership
- Researchers at recognised academic institutions committed to cross-border collaboration
- Multi-disciplinary team members spanning at least two countries
- Teams willing to engage in high-risk, innovative projects bridging disciplines

## Key dates

- Letter of Intent required at stage 1; full proposal at stage 2 (dates to be confirmed on HFSP website)
- Annual call cycle
- International, multi-country team composition is mandatory

## Tips for applicants

- Consortium is non-negotiable; borderless teams are the core value here, frame collaborations as essential, not convenient.
- Early career status is strict: gather evidence of independence from your PhD supervisor or founding date of your lab before drafting.
- Interdisciplinarity must be genuine: avoid teams that are just multiple labs doing the same method, reviewers screen for complementary expertise.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for the HFSP Research Grant, Early Career?

Researchers within 10 years of PhD/MD or 5 years of starting an independent group, working at academic institutions in an international, multi-country team of at least 2 members.

### Is the consortium requirement flexible?

No, the HFSP Early Career grant requires an international team with members from different countries; single-researcher or single-country applications are ineligible.

### Does parental leave or military service extend the early-career window?

Yes, periods of parental leave, military service, or major medical conditions may extend the 10-year PhD/MD or 5-year independent-group eligibility window.

### What happens in the Letter of Intent stage?

The Letter of Intent is the first filter; successful teams advance to the full proposal stage. Details on scope and format are available on the HFSP website.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/hfsp-research-grant-early-career-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.